Windshield wiper arm-blade connector



Jan. 8, 1963 s. L. OKLEJA 3,071,798

WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM-BLADE CONNECTOR Filed June 8. 1961 F .l am 16 5427 24\2o 4 {5 V 1 4111111111,, 1 5m 1 I I I '1 vii INVENTOR. STANLEY L. OKLEJA ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 3,071,798 Patented Jan. 8, 1963 3,071,798 WINDSI HELD WIPER ARM-BLADE CONNECTOR Stanley L. Okleja, Gary, Ind., assignor to The Anderson Company, a corporation of Indiana Filed June 8, 1961, Ser. No. 115,695 11 Claims. (Cl. -25032) This invention relates generally to windshield wiper devices and is particularly concerned with providing a connector for use between the end of an oscillating wiper arm and the superstructure of a wiping blade. Specifically, it pertains to a housing member having fixedly enclosed therein a spring member adapted for operative connection with the end of .an oscillating arm.

An object of this invention is to provide a connector with an improved arm-attaching means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a connector having an improved spring device for interlocking effectively with an arm end.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spring device having a cam portion adapted to guide the arm end into interlocked engagement with the spring device.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spring device provided with portions which may be manually engaged to actuate the spring device for release from the oscillating arm.

A further object of this invention is to provide a spring connector which is cantilevered'at one end and preloaded to lie against an arm in holding relation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be come apparent after the description hereinafter set forth nected between the head and arm unit for urging the latter toward a windshield which is to be wiped. V

The blade unit 2 preferably includes a resilient wiper element 6 and a flexible support 7 therefor. The pressure device preferably includes a pair of secondary yokes 8 having ends connected to the blade and a primary yoke or bridge 9 having ends attached near the midpoint of each secondary yoke in pivotal relationship therewith. The primary yoke or bridge 9 is preferably of channel shape having side walls 10 provided with openings constituting seats and a base wall -11 provided near its mid-section with a semicylindrical raised portion or recess 12. A cross pin 13 extends through the side walls 10 and through side walls 14 of the connector for pivotal ly connecting the connector with the bridge. A cylindrical tubular bearing 15 is mounted on the pin for partial disposition in the recess 12 and reception in the seats provided in the side walls 10 of the bridge as best exemplified in FIGURE 2. This provides a stable pivotal connection between the bridge and the connector.

The secondary yokes 8 have side walls similar to the side walls 10 of primary yoke 9. Ends of the secondary yokes terminate in claws or other means for operative attachment to flexible support 7. Thus, an operative connection is established between the arm 1 and blade 6.

-Theconnector 4 as illustrated herein is made in the form of an elongate housing having a relatively straight channel extremity 16 within which a latch or spring device generally designated 17 is secured. An enlarged extremity 18 is offset with respect to the channel extremity and forms one connecting end to be received on is considered in conjunction with the drawing annexed hereto.

In the drawings: v

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view showing the connector in operative position between the end of an oscillating arm and the superstructure of a wiping blade unit;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through the connector adapted to receive an arm, and is taken generally along line 2-2 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 2A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a modified form of the connector;

FIGURE 3 is another enlarged cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIGURE 2 above but with the arm end in connected position; 7

FIGURE 4 is a greatly enlarged, isometric viewof the spring member;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector and arm taken along line 55 of 'FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector and arm taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged partially cut-away section of the connector embracing in position the spring member'of FIGURE 4.

Referring to the drawings in FIGURES 1-7, like numerals designate the same elements throughout the disclosure. Numeral 1 generally designates a wiper arm unit, numeral 2 designates a wiper blade unit, numeral 3 designates a pressure device or superstructure attached to the blade unit and numeral 4 designates a connector operatively connecting the pressure device and the arm unit.

The arm unit 1 is preferably of rectangular cross section and provided with an abutment or shoulder 5 preferably in the form of a cylindrical projection extending at right angles therefrom at a location near its outer end.

The outer free extremity of the arm constitutes an enter- 1 ing part for reception into the connector or housing 4.

the'primary yoke or bridge member. The offset extremityiiicludes the side walls 14 and base wall 19. The channel extremity includes base wall 20 and side walls 21' which respectively constitute continuations of the base wall 19 and side walls 14 of the offset extremity. The base wall 20 is provided at its other end with a pair of longitudinally extending fingers 22 which define .an opening or slot through which the abutment 5 on the arm 1 is guided into engagement with the spring device. The base wall 20 is also provided with an indent fulcrum 24 formed therein. It will be noted that the indent extends transversely of the longitudinal axis of the housing and provides a bearing surface.

The side walls 21 of the channel extremity 16 are respectively provided with pairs of longitudinally spaced abutments preferably in the form of inturned fingers 25 and 26 which cooperate with edges and notches respectively of the spring device 17 for locking the latter in a predetermined position Within the connector.

Spring 17, as exemplified herein, includes a base wall having a first planar portion 27 and a second planar porton 27. It also includes a pair of substantially parallel interrupted side walls 28 and 28. Side walls 28' are each provided with a pair of abutments preferably formed by notches 29, and a pair of offset or inturned flanges 31 are carried by and constitute continuations of the side wall 28. The inner end or right end of planar portion 27', as best viewed in FIGURES 2 and 7, is preferably provided with a normally curved portion 32 and the portion 27 has a T-shaped portion 33. This portion of the T is comprised of a pair of lateral extensions, each in association with an offset finger 22, respectively. As best shown in FIGURE 4, planar portions 27 and 27' are disposed at an angle with each other when spring 17 is in a free unstressed state prior to assembly. The planar portions 27 and 27' are connected by a curved portion 30 which is adapted to 'bear or rest against the base wall 20 spaced apart from fulcrum 24 formed in the same base wall. As described above, the T-shaped outer end 33 is positioned in hooked relation with fingers 22 upon assembly of the spring with the'housing. The

curved portion 30 rests against base wall 20. Clamping of fingers Z5 and 26 will force planar portion 27 against fulcrum 24 of base wall 20. In this assembled position, planar portions 27 and 27 lie substantially parallel with the inner face of base wall 20. An abutment preferably in the form of an opening 34 is provided through planar portion 27.

It is to be noted, as best shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, that there is room for resilient movement of 27 toward wall 20 upon the insertion of arm end 1 into position within the connector. Upon assembly, cam portion 40 and spring portion 27 are resiliently urged away from their normal position toward base wall 20 until opening 34 snaps around abutment 5. In assembled position, as shown in FIGURE 3, planar portions 27 and 27' are in resilient adjoining linear contact with a mating planar surface of arm 1. Curved portion 32 is urged aside and aids in maintaining the elements in snug relationship by its resilient action thereon.

The arrangement described above is such that the planar portion 27 of the spring device is resiliently urged toward the bottom wall of the channel 16 as the arm is first introduced into the connector. As movement of arm 1 continues, projection 5 on the arm will pass through the slot between offset fingers 22, then ride over cam 40 into opening 34 in planar portion 27 to positively lock the arm and connector together. FIGURE 3 most eifectively demonstrates the matingand holding contact between elements 1, 5 and 27.

It will be noted that once projection 5 is received in opening 34, that a planar surface of arm 1 and planar portion 27 are intimately engaged. By this arrangement, opening 34 is adapted to receive and retain a projection 5 of extremely low silhouette because a planar portion extends a substantial distance in all directions therefrom.

The space between fingers 26 and fulcrum 24 is predetermined and the same is true of the space between fingers 22 and 25 so that the arm will snugly fit in the connector and thereby substantially prevent rocking movement therebetween when the blade is oscillated on the windshield. The side walls of the channel extremity are wider between fingers 25 and 26 so as to reduce friction between these side walls and the side walls of the spring device and thereby allow the spring device to adjust itself to the arm. The space between the portions of the side wall from which fingers 25 and 26 project is less than the space between the widened portions and is predetermined so that the arm is snugly received in longitudinal spaced location to prevent lateral movement between the arm and the connector. As most clearly shown in FIGURE 7, resilient spring or clip 17 retained within connector 4 is supported on portions 24 and 30 by fingers 25, 26. Furthermore, it can be seen that portion 27 of the spring is now retained in a position parallel with 16- of the connector and that the spring is thus held in a pretensioned position. Extending fingers 22 additionally serve to restrain the spring member in its position within the connector.

It will be noted in FIGURE 2A, where I have shown a modified form of the spring member 17 in the connector housing, that the T-shaped portion 33 has been removed. The spring member or clip 17 is still maintained in position within the connector housing by fingers 25, 26. Portion 40, an extension of planar portion 27, remains to guide arm 1 and protrusion 5 into position as shown in FIGURE 3. In each disclosure a substantial area like planar portion 2'7 abuts arm 1 in resilient juxtaposed contact. Approximately equidistant from the boundary of this planar portion an opening 34 is provided to receive projection 5.

The arm can be readily released from the connector by merely depressing the opposed flange portions 31 toward the base wall of the channel extremity, thereby releasing projection 5 from opening 34 to permit withdrawal of the arm from the connector. Another way to re- 4 lease the arm from the connector of the type disclosed in FIGURE 3 is to lift the T-shaped portion toward the base wall whereupon release of opening 34 from around projection 5 is likewise obtained.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention; and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact forms, constructions, arrangements and combinations of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. A connector for connecting a windshield wiper blade to an actuating arm comprising; a housing provided with means for connection with the blade and having side walls including a bottom wall defining a longitudinal opening with an entrance for receiving an end of an elongate wiper arm provided with cooperating means, an elongate spring fixedly secured at one end in said housing, said spring having a free extremity disposed adjacent said entrance in spaced relation to said bottom wall for movement relative thereto for abutting contact with a portion of the elongate arm and provided with means adapted for locking connection with said cooperating means after the arm is inserted into the housing, and means provided on said side walls disposed adjacent said entrance for limiting movement of the free extremity of said spring away from said bottom wall.

2. A connector for connecting a windshield wiper blade to an actuating arm comprising; a housing having bottom wall and side walls forming a. longitudinal opening with an entrance for receiving an end of an elongate wiper arm having a flat linear surface and shoulder means projecting therefrom, resilient means secured in said housing and having a freely movable planar portion adjacent the entrance for engaging said flat surface, said resilient means also having a pair of side walls and a means located centrally of said planar portion for receiving said shoulder means in interlocked engagement when the arm end is inserted into said housing, means for manipulating the spring to release said receiving means from said shoulder, and means on the side walls of the housing located adjacent said entrance and engaging the side walls of said spring for limiting movement of the planar portion of said spring away from said bottom wall.

3. A connector for connecting a windshield wiper blade to an actuating arm comprising; a housing having one portion adapted to be connected to the blade and another portion defining an opening with an entrance for longitudinally receiving an end of an elongate wiper arm having a substantially fiat linear surface, provided with shoulder means, resilient means fixed to the housing and having side walls and also afreely movable planar portion for pressure engagement with said linear surface and provided with shoulder-receiving means for interlocking connection with said shoulder means when the arm end is received in said opening, said planar portion being adapted to abut said linear surface on either side of said shoulder means, means on the resilient means for effecting release of the arm end from the connector in either oftwo ways, and means on said housing for engaging the side walls of said resilient means for normally maintaining its planar portion in a predetermined position prior to entry of said arm end.

4. A connector for connecting a windshield wiper blade to an actuating arm comprising; a housing having one portion adapted to be attached to the blade and having another portion defining a linearly opening therein for longitudinally receiving an end of an elongate wiper arm, said elongate arm having flat linear surfaces, at least one of the surfaces provided with a shoulder portion, resilient means fixed to the housing and presenting generally aligned planar surfaces for resilient planar contact with said one linear surface of the arm, one of said surfaces being provided with means for receiving the shoulder portion for interlocking engagement therewith,

. said one planar portion having a cam portion positioned to guide the shoulder portion into said receiving means, and means on said resilient means adapted for manipulation to release the arm from said connector.

5. A connector for establishing a connection between a wiper and a wiper arm comprising: a housing having a portion adapted to be connected to the wiper and having another portion provided with a longitudinally disposed recess, and resilient means retained in the recess and adapted to operatively fixedly and releasably receive one portion of :a wiper arm having shoulder means thereon, said resilient means having one portion defining a cantilevered planar portion tensioned to lie in parallel abutting relationship with the arm, said planar portion having shoulder-receiving means adapted to receive the shoulder means with planar portions lying adjacent and parallel with the arm on either side of the shoulder mean-s.

6. A connector for establishing a connection between a wiper and a wiper arm comprising: a housing having a portion adapted to be connected to the wiper, said housing having a longitudinally disposed recess with an entrance and having resilient means within the recess, said housing and resilient means adapted to operatively receive an end of a Wiper arm having shoulder means thereon, said resilient means comprising a channel having side walls and a shoulder-receiving means surrounded by a freely movable planar portion which is disposed adjacent said entrance and resiliently urged for engaging a wiper arm on either side of said shoulder means, and means on said housing for engaging the side Walls of said resilient means for limiting outward movement of its planar portion.

7. A connector for establishing a connection between a windshield wiper and a motion-imparting arm comprising: a housing having one portion adapted to be connected to the wiper and another portion provided with a longitudinal opening with an entrance adapted to linearly receive an end of a Wiper arm which has laterally disposed shoulder means thereon, said housing opening being formed by generally parallel walls and provided with open-ended latch means adapted to receive therein the entering arm, said open-ended latch means retained within said opening and provided with side walls and a planar portion disposed adjacent said entrance and resilientlyurged laterally of the longitudinal extent of the opening for abutting planar contact with a relatively flat portion of the entering arm on either side of the shoulder means, said planar portion being provided with shoulder-receiving means adapted to receive the shoulder means on the entering arm, and means on said housing for engagement by the side walls of said latch means for limiting outward movement of its planar portion when the arm end is disconnected from said connector.

8. A connector for establishing a connection between a windshield wiper and a motion-imparting arm comprising: a housing having one portion adapted to be connected to the wiper and another portion provided with a longitudinal opening adapted to linearly receive an end of a wiper arm which has laterally disposed shoulder means thereon, said housing opening having generally parallel Walls and provided with open-ended latch means adapted to receive therein the entering arm, said openended latch means retained within said opening and provided with a planar portion resiliently urged laterally of the longitudinal extent of the opening for abutting contact with a relatively flat portion of the entering arm on e t r d o t e ulder mean ShQl ldfl-rec iv means carried by and totally surrounded by said planar portion adapted to receive the shoulder means on the entering arm, a portion of the latch means adjacent the planar portion disposed at an angle thereto defining means for guiding the wiper arm shoulder means into the shoulder-receiving means of the planar portion, and means manipulatable for releasing the shoulder-receiving means.

9. A connector for establishing a connection between a wiper superstructure and a Wiper arm comprising in combination: a housing adapted to be connected to the wiper superstructure, said housing having a longitudinally disposed recess therein, and resilient means Within the recess adapted to operatively fixedly and releasably generally receive one end of a Wiper arm which has a gen-v erally fiat portion provided with laterally disposed shoulder means, said resilient means having longitudinally disposed open ends and a planar portion urged laterally of the longitudinal recess for linear abutting relationship with the flat portion of the arm whenever the arm is received within the longitudinal recess and resilient means, said planar portion provided with means adapted to cooperate with said shoulder means on the arm portion for retaining the arm and connector assembled, said planar portion extending in both longitudinal directions .from the shoulder-receiving means, and means adapted for manipulation to release the shoulder means permitting separation of the arm and connector.

10. A connector for the purpose described, said connector comprising an elongate housing having a bottom wall provided with a fulcrum and also having side walls, an elongate spring disposed in said housing and having an inner Wall and an outer wall joined together by an intermediate offset, means on said inner wall and means on said side walls interlocking with one another whereby to assist in holding said inner wall against said fulcrum and said olfset against said bottom wall to locate said outer wall in spaced relation to said bottom wall, means provided on said outer Wall for interlocking connection With means provided on a Wiper arm adapted for entry into said connector, abutment means on said side walls, and means on said outer wall cooperating with said abutment means whereby to place said spring under tension and maintain its outer wall in a predetermined spaced relation to said bottom wall for retraction toward said bottom wall when an arm is inserted into the connector.

1 1. A spring adapted for use as a component of a connector for connecting a windshield wiper arm and a Wiper blade, said spring being elongate and comprising a pair of bottom Walls joined together by an offset portion to maintain one bottom wall at an angle with reference to the other bottom wall, said other bottom Wall being provided with notched side walls for interlocking connection with a connector housing, said one bottom Wall being provided with abutment means for engaging an abutment on a wiper arm and also provided with side walls having abutments thereon for engaging stops on a connector housing for positioning said one bottom Wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,751,620 Ehrlich June 26, 1956 2,915,770 Scinta Dec. 8, 1959 2,916,760 Anderson Dec. 15, 1959 2,925,616 Krohm Feb. 23, 1960 2,956,299 Zeigler Oct. 18, 1960 2,958,892 Ryck Nov. 8, 1960 

5. A CONNECTOR FOR ESTABLISHING A CONNECTION BETWEEN A WIPER AND A WIPER ARM COMPRISING: A HOUSING HAVING A PORTION ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE WIPER AND HAVING ANOTHER PORTION PROVIDED WITH A LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED RECESS, AND RESILIENT MEANS RETAINED IN THE RECESS AND ADAPTED TO OPERATIVELY FIXEDLY AND RELEASABLY RECEIVE ONE PORTION OF A WIPER ARM HAVING SHOULDER MEANS THEREON, SAID RESILIENT MEANS HAVING ONE PORTION DEFINING A CANTILEVERED PLANAR PORTION TENSIONED TO LIE IN PARALLEL ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ARM, SAID PLANAR PORTION HAVING SHOULDER-RECEIVING MEANS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE SHOULDER MEANS WITH PLANAR PORTIONS LYING ADJACENT AND PARALLEL WITH THE ARM ON EITHER SIDE OF THE SHOULDER MEANS. 